Payless plans 45 layoffs at Topeka headquarters

Payless ShoeSource says it will lay off 45 people from its headquarters in Topeka.

Associated Press

Payless ShoeSource says it will lay off 45 people from its headquarters in Topeka.

The company also announced Tuesday that it would not fill another 97 open positions throughout Payless' global operations.

Payless said in a news release that the restructuring was necessary to focus the organization's resources since Collective Brands closed in October. In 2007, Payless formed Collective Brands, which was sold in 2012 after struggling financially.

Payless was founded in Topeka in 1956.

Doug Kinsinger of the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce said the chamber regrets the lost jobs, but the changes would stabilize the company's finances.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports (http://bit.ly/13gFLj6 ) Payless is offering severance and outplacement services for the laid off employees.